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Infants don’t have a life history to weigh them down or make them sad, but that doesn’t mean they can’t experience depression. Many mental health professionals believe, based on case studies and clinical experience, that babies can and do become depressed.

“There is a perception that early childhood is supposed to be a happy and carefree time but, in many ways, childhood can be overwhelming and scary,” notesChristina Fiorvanti, PhD, a pediatric psychologist in the pediatric behavioral health integration program at Montefiore Health System.

While it is possible for babies to experience depression, it is not particularly common. One estimate suggests that roughly one in 40 infants experiences signs of depression.

“Little is known about depression in infants because these children don’t have language to express their feelings, fears, or wishes,” explains licensed psychologistPatricia A. Farrell, PhD. “The only way we know that they are depressed is to look at changes in their behavior,” she notes.

This article discusses some of the signs of depression in infants and some of the potential causes. It also explores what parents and caregivers can do if they notice signs of depression in their babies.

Symptoms of Infant Depression

Infant mental health includes a child’s ability to express emotion and engage with the people around them, explainsMary Mackrain, MEd, IMHP-IV, director of maternal and child health at the Education Development Center. Important social milestones include calming when being held and smiling in response to attention from caregivers.

“As infants grow and develop, they may often have days when they exhibit less social-emotional well-being and an increase in irritability, sadness, or engagement, but this typically passes. For example, if a parent transitions back to work or an infant is not feeling well, you may notice more expressions of sadness or fussiness for a few days,” Mackrain says.

While all children will have days when they are less socially or emotionally engaged, longer-lasting periods of irritability or withdrawal might be a sign of a problem.

One of the primary ways to recognize depression in infants is their emotional vitality. In order to gauge this, ask yourself the following questions:

Although different babies will naturally have differentpersonalitiesand temperaments, if this behavior represents a change from your child’s normal behavior, it could be a sign of depression.

Mary Mackrain, Director of Maternal and Child Health at Education Development CenterAs a parent, you know your child best. If your child is showing less emotion, begins to have trouble eating or sleeping, and is more irritable than usual, it is best to act early.

Mary Mackrain, Director of Maternal and Child Health at Education Development Center

As a parent, you know your child best. If your child is showing less emotion, begins to have trouble eating or sleeping, and is more irritable than usual, it is best to act early.

Causes of Depression in Babies

During previous points in history, many people believed that it was not possible for infants or even children to become depressed. More recently, scientists and physicians have recognized that pediatric depression is not only possible but perhaps much more prevalent than previously thought.

“Early on, the psychodynamic folks said infants couldn’t be depressed because theiregoshad not yet been developed,” explainsLea A. Theodore, PhD, a licensed psychologist and professor at Adelphi University. She notes, however, that “the same symptoms are seen in infants as adults—lack of interest, dulled senses and responses, sleep/eating issues, irritability, lethargy, and in extreme depressive conditions, failure to thrive.”

Although the exact causes are not fully understood, there are several possible causes of depression in infants. Like other types ofchildhood depression, multiple components may contribute, such as:

It was previously believed that premature birth might be connected to an increased risk for pediatric depression. However, one 2017 study found no differences between full-term babies and premature infants.

What the study did find, however, was that infants were more likely to develop depression prior to age two if they had stronger connections between the amygdala and other areas of the brain. The amygdala is often referred to as the fear center of the brain.

However, the researchers note that environmental factors also play an important role. Experiences can impact how genetic predispositions are eventually expressed and can also play a role in changing connectivity patterns in the brain.

Diagnosis of Infant Depression

Babies who show signs of depression may be more likely to experience depression and other mental health issues as they grow older.If you notice signs that your child is experiencing depression, talk to a healthcare provider for advice and treatment options.

RecapIt is important to remember that signs of low mood don’t necessarily mean that an infant is clinically depressed. Infant depression lasts longer than two weeks, occurs most of the time, differs from normal mood, creates distress and dysfunction, and must not be due to a medical condition.

Recap

It is important to remember that signs of low mood don’t necessarily mean that an infant is clinically depressed. Infant depression lasts longer than two weeks, occurs most of the time, differs from normal mood, creates distress and dysfunction, and must not be due to a medical condition.

Ruling Out Conditions for a Mental Health Diagnosis

Treatment for Depression in Babies

If your child has only been experiencing these symptoms for a few days, it may well be that they are simply going through a brief upset related to your absence which will quickly pass as they adjust to the return of your normal routine.

“If you are concerned about your infant’s behavior, you should talk with your child’s doctor and ask about social and emotional screening,” Mackrain suggests.

Mary Mackrain, Director of Maternal and Child Health at Education Development CenterChanges can cause stress. The stress may affect the way the infant acts, but it may not be a mental illness.

Changes can cause stress. The stress may affect the way the infant acts, but it may not be a mental illness.

If your infant continues to have difficulties, you may wish to make an appointment with a parent-infantpsychotherapistor another mental health professional with experience working with young children.

Music therapyand infant massage might also be viable options to help ease any symptoms of depression.

Early Childhood Interventions

Because the family environment is such a critical part of infant development, treatment needs to include both the child and their caregivers. “There is an array of treatments available for infants and families. It is important families get access to treatment that fits their unique needs and culture and has evidence of being effective,” says Mackrain.

Professional early intervention services can play an important role in protecting the mental health of both children and caregivers. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider to learn more about programs and services available in your community.

This might include services that pair a mental health professional with the family in order to provide services in the child’s home. Mackrain also notes thatPart C early intervention programs, which are designed for children from birth to age three, offer family-driven services in a child’s natural environment.

Questions to AskWhen accessing mental health services, Mackrain suggests parents ask the following questions:What type of education and licensure do you have?How will you meet the needs of my family’s culture?What training/experience do you have in supporting the needs of families and infants?What is your orientation and approach to working with families?Where will the treatment take place?Which evidence-based programs and services do you use?

Questions to Ask

When accessing mental health services, Mackrain suggests parents ask the following questions:What type of education and licensure do you have?How will you meet the needs of my family’s culture?What training/experience do you have in supporting the needs of families and infants?What is your orientation and approach to working with families?Where will the treatment take place?Which evidence-based programs and services do you use?

When accessing mental health services, Mackrain suggests parents ask the following questions:

“Keep in mind that any assessment and treatment for early childhood depression should be dyadic, meaning that the parents are actively involved with the intervention,” Fiorvanti says. “You are the expert on your child and you have the biggest impact on their social-emotional development.”

Coping With Infant Depression

Deciphering your infant’s emotions is never easy, and throwing the possibility of depression into the mix can make it even more daunting. After all, babies are unable to verbalize their mood or describe how they’re feeling or what they’re experiencing.

Dr. Fiorvanti also recommends strategies such as child-directed play and age-appropriate books. “One of the best tools we have for helping children who are experiencing social-emotional distress is play,” she suggests.

Christina Fiorvanti, PhD, Pediatric PsychologistPlay is the language of children. Encouraging opportunities for child-directed play is one of the most simple and most powerful interventions that parents can do at home for free.

Christina Fiorvanti, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist

Play is the language of children. Encouraging opportunities for child-directed play is one of the most simple and most powerful interventions that parents can do at home for free.

Parent Mental Health

One of the best ways to cope as a parent or caregiver is to take steps to protect your own mental health, which includes getting help if you’re alsoliving with depressionor coping withpostpartum depression.

“Parental depression, in particular, is a major risk factor for a child’s social-emotional development, and obtaining the correct help for the parent often significantly improves the child’s mental health,” explains Dr. Fiorvanti.

If you are wondering whether you might be experiencing postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety, set up an appointment with your obstetrician right away. Treatments are available that can help you feel better.

Caring for your infant means caring for their physical health as well as their emotional health. If you start early, you can make mental health a priority in your family and prevent depression from manifesting into more severe problems later in life.

“Mental health is part of every child’s overall health and well-being and is as important as physical health,” Mackrain notes. “Don’t worry, but don’t wait if you have concerns about your child. You know them best.”

If you suspect that your infant has depression, talk to their pediatrician. In addition to helping your child, you should also make sure that you are caring for your own mental health, particularly if you might be experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression.

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Keren M, Tyano S.Depression in infancy.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2006;15(4):883-97, viii. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2006.05.004Rishel CW.Pathways to prevention for children of depressed mothers: a review of the literature and recommendations for practice.Depress Res Treat. 2012;2012:1-11. doi:10.1155/2012/313689Rogers CE, Sylvester CM, Mintz C, et al.Neonatal amygdala functional connectivity at rest in healthy and preterm infants and early internalizing symptoms.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;56(2):157-166. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2016.11.005Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.Egger HL, Emde RN.Developmentally sensitive diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders in early childhood: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, the research diagnostic criteria-preschool age, and the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood-revised.Am Psychol. 2011;66(2):95–106. doi:10.1037/a0021026Zero to Three.Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood: Revised Edition.Zero to Three Press.Bhatia R.Childhood depression. Anxiety & Depression Association of America.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Keren M, Tyano S.Depression in infancy.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2006;15(4):883-97, viii. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2006.05.004Rishel CW.Pathways to prevention for children of depressed mothers: a review of the literature and recommendations for practice.Depress Res Treat. 2012;2012:1-11. doi:10.1155/2012/313689Rogers CE, Sylvester CM, Mintz C, et al.Neonatal amygdala functional connectivity at rest in healthy and preterm infants and early internalizing symptoms.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;56(2):157-166. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2016.11.005Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.Egger HL, Emde RN.Developmentally sensitive diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders in early childhood: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, the research diagnostic criteria-preschool age, and the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood-revised.Am Psychol. 2011;66(2):95–106. doi:10.1037/a0021026Zero to Three.Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood: Revised Edition.Zero to Three Press.Bhatia R.Childhood depression. Anxiety & Depression Association of America.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Keren M, Tyano S.Depression in infancy.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2006;15(4):883-97, viii. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2006.05.004Rishel CW.Pathways to prevention for children of depressed mothers: a review of the literature and recommendations for practice.Depress Res Treat. 2012;2012:1-11. doi:10.1155/2012/313689Rogers CE, Sylvester CM, Mintz C, et al.Neonatal amygdala functional connectivity at rest in healthy and preterm infants and early internalizing symptoms.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;56(2):157-166. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2016.11.005Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.Egger HL, Emde RN.Developmentally sensitive diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders in early childhood: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, the research diagnostic criteria-preschool age, and the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood-revised.Am Psychol. 2011;66(2):95–106. doi:10.1037/a0021026Zero to Three.Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood: Revised Edition.Zero to Three Press.Bhatia R.Childhood depression. Anxiety & Depression Association of America.

Keren M, Tyano S.Depression in infancy.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2006;15(4):883-97, viii. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2006.05.004

Rishel CW.Pathways to prevention for children of depressed mothers: a review of the literature and recommendations for practice.Depress Res Treat. 2012;2012:1-11. doi:10.1155/2012/313689

Rogers CE, Sylvester CM, Mintz C, et al.Neonatal amygdala functional connectivity at rest in healthy and preterm infants and early internalizing symptoms.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;56(2):157-166. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2016.11.005

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.

Egger HL, Emde RN.Developmentally sensitive diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders in early childhood: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, the research diagnostic criteria-preschool age, and the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood-revised.Am Psychol. 2011;66(2):95–106. doi:10.1037/a0021026

Zero to Three.Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood: Revised Edition.Zero to Three Press.

Bhatia R.Childhood depression. Anxiety & Depression Association of America.

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